Qualitative analysis of the cognitive triad in a sample of the general population in response to the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a profound mental health challenge worldwide. The goal of this paper is to explore cognitive responses to the pandemic in order to better understand underlying beliefs for those reporting and not reporting symptoms of depression within the context of a period of realistic health, economic and social threat. This paper described a cross-sectional survey carried out with a convenience sample from the general population between December 2020 and February 2021. As part of that survey, adult respondents (n=555) were asked to fill in open text box questions which provided prompts of the Cognitive Triad: “I am…/I am not…”; “Others people are…/Other people are not…”; “The world is…”. These qualitative data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Thematic responses between people who screened above and below the cut-off for moderate depressive symptoms showed noticeable overlap, especially in terms of negative cognitions. The largest distinct difference in cognitions was the lack of positively framed cognitions across the cognitive triad in those screening above the cut-off for moderate depressive symptoms. These data highlight the importance of developing a positive cognitive framework to the pandemic, indicating that approaches such as Positive Psychology or Compassion-Focused Therapy which emphasise positive emotions, empathy, and gratitude may be particularly helpful.